Register



NOV. 3, 1936. 1 HARVELL ET AL 2,059,341

' REGISTER Filed Aug. 2, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 I/IIIIII/III' W INVENTORS BY W ATTORNEY 3 J. P A ELL ET A GISTER iled Au 2 o OOUUJJV 1932 2 Q0000 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUU u -She t 2 oooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooudw.

Oooooooooooooooooooo0000c oooooooooo oooc '45 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FIG-iii ooooooo ooooooobooooo oooooooo oooooooooooooooooo oooooooooo ooooooooooooooooo '10 oooooooooooooooo o0 oooc 0000000000 0000000000000000000 000000000000000 000 0000 00000000 ooooooooooooooooooOooooooboooooo ooooo Ooooc 0000000 00000000000000000 000000000000 00000 0000 44 00000 0 ooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooo ooc 000 00 00000000000000000 0000000000 0 000000 0000 0000000 no 00000 0000 0000 00 000 o oooc 00000000 000 0 Q 000000 0000000000 0000 J OOO&&\;WOO CO 00000 OO\ 000 00 .00 00000 00 Oo8&o 00 00000 00 00 0 Q0 00000 00 00000 0.0 00000 00 00000 00 0- 00000 o 5 5 a o o o o o I o o o o 0 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 45 00000 000 o 0000 nor" 00000 000 0 0000 00 00000 000 '00 0,000 00 @0000 00 00 000 00 00000 0o 00 0000 00 00000 00 00 0000 00 00000 00 00 00000 00 00000 00 00 00000 00 NVENTQ I ATTORNEY use in connection with such systems.

Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REGISTER Q Application August 2, 1932, Serial No. 627,286

17 Claims.

v This invention relates to measuring devices and more particularly to registers for measuring the elapsed time of telephone conversations.

In telephone systems, it is at present customary 5 to charge for toll calls on a time basis and for local calls on a message or flat rate basis. In the case of local calls of the message rate type, it is sometimes necessary to charge for what is gennerally known as overtime; In other words, a

certain charge is made'for each completed call lasting a predetermined period of time or less, for example five minutes, and an overtime charge is made for each additional predetermined period of time during which the call lasts. In the case 16 of a coin box call, the subscriber is notified at the expiration of the first and each additional period that if he desires to continue the call, he

must deposit another coin. This overtime charge may be computed either on a message basis, i. e., 20 a charge is made as if it were another call, or on an elapsed time basis.

It has heretofore been suggested in connection with systems for timing such calls that an individual elapsed time register be provided for each 25 cord circuit of the telephone switchboard for measuring the elapsed time of each connection completed by the use of the corresponding cord circuit, a plurality of said registers being associated with a common continuously rotating,

30 driving shaft and each individual register being provided with means for starting, stopping and restoring it to normal, asdesired.

One object of this invention is to provide a compact, accurate and inexpensive register 'for Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter set forth.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side view of the 40 register with the side of the case removed, the

register being in its normal, inoperative condi-' 'tion; Fig. 2 is a view of the register from the other side with the side of the case removed, the register being in its operative condition; Fig. 3 is a view' of the register from the bottom, with the-bottom of the case removed, showing the dial wheel, the driving mechanism and the clutch mechanism; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the 50 shifting mechanism; Fig. 5 is a view of the dial wheel, a. portion of which is cut away, and the reset mechanism; Fig. 6 illustrates a telephone switchboard position showing the manner in which the register may be associated with the 55 equipment of a telephone system; and Fig. 7

illustrates the designations on the periphery of the dial wheel.

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus consists, in general, of a peculiarly-shaped case I, the front of which is shown at the right in Fig. 1 5 and at the left in Fig. 2, a figure or dial wheel 2,

a cog-Wheel gear 3 connected to the dial wheel,

a cog-wheel driving gear 5, a common driving shaft I, shifting means including a shifting fork to to cause said driving gear to engage gear 3 10 of the dial wheel, control means H to control the operation of said shifting means, a shutter 9 to indicate whether the register is in its operative or inoperative condition, and reset mech-' anism to restore said dial wheel to its normal or zero position. The dial wheel is mounted on a shaft 4 which, in turn, is supported within the case, as indicated in Fig. 3. The position of the dial wheel within the case with respect to window 8 is such that a part of its periphery is visible therethrough and its position with respect to the driving mechanism is such that when driving gear 5 is shifted laterally toward said dial wheel, the teeth of driving gear 5 are adapted to mesh with theteeth of gear 3. Common driving shaft I and the individual driving gear 5 of each register are adapted to be rotated continuously at a predetermined speed, for example, by means of a constant speed, synchronous motor of the type disclosed in Patents Nos. 1,283,432, 1,283,433 and 1,283,435, issued to Henry E. Warren on October 29, 1918. As a result, when the teeth of the driving gear 5 meshes with the teeth of gear 3, the dial wheel isrotated at a constant speed in the direction indicated by the arrows. .The periph- 5 ery of the dial wheel is divided into a plurality of differently colored sections, each differently colored section representing a predetermined timing period. Each section may be further divided into subsections representing minutes and 40 7 into subdivisionsrepresenting fraction-minutes.

The preferred arrangement of the designations on the periphery of the dial wheel is shown in Figs. 3 and 7. As shown the right half of the periphery is divided into three sections, each section representing a five minute period, for example. The sections are, for example, white, red and green, respectively. The left half is further divided into subsections and subdivisions, the subsections and subdivisions representing minutes and fraction-minutes respectively. The

subsections are alternately white and orange, for

example. By dividing and subdividing the periphery in this manner, the register may be used for measuring the elapsed time of toll calls or dial wheel shaft and controlled by shifting com trol means II is provided to indicate independently of the position of the dial wheel whether the register is in its operative or inoperative condition. When the register is in its inoperative condition, the shutter is adapted to be positioned (see Fig. 1) between window 8 and the periphery of the dial wheel so that only the shutter is visible through said window. When the register is in its operative position, the shutter is adapted to be moved to a position such as that shown in Fig. 2 so that the dial wheel is visible through said'window. It will be noted that the inside of the case at the front part of its top protrudes toward the center of the case, forming a protruding lip as indicated at 34. This lip serves a three-fold purpose: (1) it hides the section of the dial wheel which is just beyond the window and thus tends to insure accurate reading of the register; (2) it serves as a stop for the shutter as indicated in Fig. 1; and (3) it serves as a stop for reset stop pawl 30 as will be explained later.

The driving mechanism includes driving gear 5, hub 6, drive collar l2, gear hub spring I3, shifting hub l4 and common driving shaft 1. As shown in Fig. 3, gear 5 is fixed to one end of hub 6 and drive collar I2 is fixed to the other end. The hub itself is mounted on driving shaft 1 and is adapted to rotate therewith. Shifting hub i4 is slidably mounted on hub 6 adjacent gear 5. Hub spring I 3 is wound round hub 6 between driving collar I2 and shifting hub 14. Shifting fork IU of the shifting mechanism is positioned so that its prongs fit in a groove in shifting hub I4 in the manner indicated in Fig. 3. As stated above, common driving shaft 1 is continuously rotated at a predetermined speed. As a result, driving gear 5, hub B and driving collar l2 continuously rotate with shaft 1 at a predetermined speed. When shifting fork I 0 is moved laterally to the left, it causes shifting hub M to be moved laterally to the left. This movement of the shifting hub exerts pressure, by means of spring l3, on driving collar l2 which causes said driving collar, hub 6 and driving gear 5 to be moved to the left in the direction of their axes. As a result, the rotating gear-5 comes in contact with stationary gear 3. If, at the moment of contact, the teeth of the two gear wheels should be in such relative position that they mesh, the teeth of gear 5 slip into position and the rotation of gear 3 and dial wheel 2 begins immediately. If, at the moment of contact, said teeth are not in meshing position, the teeth of gear 5 will press against the teeth of gear 3. However, since spring I3 is compressible, it acts more or less as a cushion spring and permits shifting fork l0 and shifting hub l4 to move to their full, op-

erated position, even though gear 5 is held out- 1 side of gear 3. At the same time, spring 13 being new compressed, continues to exert pressure on the drive collar l2 which, in turn, causes gear 5 to continue to press against gear 3. The pressure exerted by gear 5 against gear 3, however, is not sufficient to cause gear 3 to rotate by friction with gear 5. When gear 5 rotates to a. position such that the teeth of the two gears arein a meshing position, gear 5 slips into engagement with gear 3 under the influence of the force exerted by spring l3, which causes gear 3 and dial wheel 2 to begin rotating. This feature permits the operation of the shifting means and the shifting control means to their operated positions without waiting for the driving wheel to rotate to a position such that its teeth will mesh with the teeth of the gear of dial wheel. The fact that gears 3 and 5 are of the cog-wheel type and the fact that gear 5 is moved in the direction of the axes of said gears into engagement with gear 3 prevent any movement of the dial wheel until the teeth of the gears exactly mesh and actually engage each other. As a result any inaccuracy in timing, due to the fact that the gears do not at once mesh, will be in favor of the subscriber. This arrangement of the gears also prevents damage to the teeth thereof when the gears come in contact with each other.

The shifting mechanism includes a shifting fork l0, slidably mounted on bars l5 and I6, shifting fork stud l1 and spring I8 wound round bar I5. As indicated above, the shifting mechanism is positioned in the case beneath control means I l and in such position with respect to the driving mechanism that its prongs fit in the groove of hub l4. Spring IB is adapted to be compressed between the collar {9 of the fork l0 and lug 2|], when said fork is shifted to the right. as shown in Figs; 3 and 4. Fork I0 is held in its normal position to the right, against the force exerted by spring l8, by means of shifting cam 2 I, which is connected to and controlled by shifting control means II.

The shifting control means is a control lever ll, slidably mounted on the outside of the case, at the rear thereof. That part of the case on which the thumb lever is mounted is an inclined, flat surface, the angle of inclination of which and the height of the control lever being such that when said lever is shifted to its forward or operated position, as indicated in Fig. 2, the top thereof is in alignment with the plane of the top of the case and when said lever is in its rear or normal position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the top thereof is below the plane of the top of the case. The lower part of said lever, indicated at 22, is adapted to pass through a slot 23 in the case directly beneath said lever and is adapted to move back and forth in said slot as said lever is moved to its normal and operated positions. The lower part of said lever is also adapted to fit in between the collars 24 and 25 of shifting cam 2| and to be fastened to collar 4| of said cam, so that said cam moves back and forth in accordance with the movement of said lever. When lever II and shifting cam 2| are in their normal or rear positions, the inclined edge 42 of said cam holds stud I1 and fork I0 in'their normal positions, at the right as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When lever II and cam 2| are shifted to their operated or forward positions, the inclined edge 42 permits the movement of stud I I and fork II] to the left'under the influence of spring I81 As stated above, when fork Ill is in its normal position to the right, the gears are disengaged and when said fork is shifted to theleft, the gears are engaged. Connected between collar 24 and shutter 9 is a shutter link 26 so that shutter 9 is also moved to its operated and unoperated positions, in accordance with the movement of control lever I I.

The reset mechanism includes a reset coil spring 21 associated with said dial wheel, a stationary cup 28 inclosing said coil spring, a reset pawl stud 29 fastened to the side of gear 3, a reset stop pawl 39 and a spring 31 associated with said stop pawl. As indicated in Fig. 5, the inner end of the coil spring is fastened to hub 49 of the dial wheel. The outer end of said coil spring is thicker and heavier than the remainder thereof and is adapted to press against the side of stationary cup 28. When driving gear 5 is brought into engagement with gear 3, dial wheel 2 is caused to rotate, for example, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, in a clockwise direction. With this direction of rotation, coilspring 21 tends to wind up. At first, as a result of the pressure of the outer end of the coil spring against the side of .cup 28, the force exerted by the friction between said outer end and the side of said cup is greater than the force within said coil spring tending to cause said outer end to rotate with said dial wheel, and as a result said outer end remains stationary while the inner end rotates with the dial wheel. This, of course, winds up the coil spring. As the coil spring winds up, the pressure exerted by said outer end against the side of cup .28 decreases, and hence the friction therebetween decreases. When the force within the coil spring, caused by the winding up of said spring and tending to cause said outer end to rotate with the dial wheel, exceeds the force exerted by the friction tending to maintain said outer end stationary, said outer end begins to slide along the side of cup 28 and to rotate with the dial wheel.

'As a result, the further rotation of the dial wheel causes no further winding up of the coil spring. On the other hand, during the further rotation of the dial wheel, the coil spring rotates with it and the energy stored up in the coil spring remains dormant, so-to-speak, no matter how many revolutions the dial wheel makes. Due to the fact that the further rotation of the coil spring tends to pull the outer end thereof away from the side of the stationary cup in opposition to the normal tendency of a coil spring to spread out, the outer endremains in contact with the side of the cup, but the pressure exerted by said outer end against the side of the cup is very slight. Hence, the friction between said outer end and the side of the cup and the consequent drag on dial wheel 2 and common shaft 1, as they rotate, is reduced to a minimum. The stop pawl 39 is pivoted within the case, as shown in Fig. 2, in such a position that its lower arm 32 is directly above and in contact with stud 29 when the dial wheel is in its normal zero position, and in such position that arm 33 thereof is resting against the protruding lip 34 on the underside of the case. On the side of the stop pawl 39, opposite arm 33, is a third arm 35 upon which rests one end of spring 3|. The other end of spring 3| is fastened between a spring block 36 and the case, as shown in Fig. 2. As the dial wheel rotates and the coil spring begins to wind up, stud 29 moves away from arm 32 of stop pawl 39. When the dial wheel has made almost one complete revolution, stud 29 comes in. contact with the inner side of arm 32. The further rotation of the dial wheel causes stud 29 to press against arm 32 which, in turn, causes stop pawl 39 to swing out against the force exerted by spring 3|. This movement of the stop pawl permits stud 29 to pass arm 32 and hence permits the dial wheel to continue rotating in a clockwise direction. As soon as the stud passes, spring 3| forces the stop pawl back to its normal position with its arm 33 resting against lip 34. When driving gear 5 is disengaged from gear 3, the rotation of the dial wheel ceases. At

lution or more.

this moment, the coil spring tends to unwind and I to spread out. This increases the pressure of the outer end on the side of the cup and said outer end remains stationary while the coil spring unwinds. course, causes the dial wheel to rotate in the opposite or counter-clockwise direction until, stud 29 comes in contact with arm 32, at which time the dial wheel is in its normal zero position. The arrangement of lip 34 and arm 33, so that lip 34 acts as a stop for pawl 39 when it swings back into position as stud 29 passes arm 32, prevents any sustained oscillation of pawl 39 and also prevents said pawl from swinging back and assuming a position too far toward the center of the dial wheel. If this should occur, stud 29, when the dial wheel is being reset, would likely slide along the outer end of arm 32 and thus the dial wheel would be restored to a position beyond its normal zero position. In short, this arrangement insures that the dial wheel will always be restored exactly to its normal zero position. The point at which the outer end of the coil spring begins to slide along the side, of the stationary cup and hence at which the, coil spring begins to rotate with the dial wheel depends, to some extent, upon the length and resiliency of the coil spring and upon the degree, if any, to which the coil spring is wound up when the apparatus is originally assembled with the'dial wheel in its normal zero position. In general, if the coil spring is not wound up when the apparatus is originally assembled, the coil spring should be so designed and associated with hub 49 and stud 29 that it begins to rotate with the dial wheel when said dial wheel has rotated approximately one revo- Thus it can be seen that dial wheel 2 can be rotated any number of revolutions or any part of a revolution with minimum drag on the common shaft 1 and yet canbe restored exactly to its normal zero position, no matter in what position it may be when it is desired to reset it.

Where it is desired to use the registers described herein, in a telephone system for measuring elapsed time on local or toll calls, it would be preferable to mount them, one for each cord circuit, on a track which, in turn, is mounted on the key shelf of the switchboard directly in front of the cord circuit keys, as shown in Fig. 6. It is also preferable for the track to be insulated from the switchboard. The cross-section of said track is shown at 31 in Fig. 1. It will be noted by reference to said figure that the edges 39 of the track are turned up in channel fashion. The bottom of the register case is provided at each end with a flange 38 which is adapted to fit into the corresponding turned-up edge of the track. In Fig. 6, 43 indicates the primary line jacks, 44

v the multiple answering jacks, 45 the outgoing 46 the plugs of the cordcircuits, 41 the cord supervisory lamps, 48 the message register keys, and 49 the ringing. and listening keys. The registers indicated at 59 are placed side by side in track 31 with the male end of the shaft! of each register (see Fig. 3) fitted in the female end of the shaft of the adjacent register, each register being in alignment with the plugs of the cord circuit with which it is to be used. The male or female end, as the case may be, of one of the terminal registers is fitted in the female or male end, as the case may be, of the driving shaft of a constant speed motor 5|, for example, which shaft The unwinding of the coil spring, of'

is connected to the motor through suitable gearing apparatus. The other terminal register can be placed against an adjustable stop 52 to hold the registers in their proper positions and in tight engagement with each other. By dividing up the common driving shaft into a plurality of sections with male and female ends, one section for each register, and by mounting the registers in a track,

as described above, any number of registers may be used for each position of the switchboard and any register may be replaced or taken out at any time by sliding it off the track.

Let is be assumed, for convenience, that the register assembly described above, is used for measuring overtime on local calls. When the operator receives a signal from a calling subscriber, she selects an idle one of cord circuits 46, inserts the answering plug into the proper one of line jacks 43 and ascertains the number of the subscriber desired. She then inserts the calling plug in the multiple jack of the called subscriber or in case trunk jacks are provided, in one of the trunk jacks 45 which extends to an operator having access to the called subscribers multiple jack. When the called subscriber answers, the originating operator operates control lever ii to the position shown in Fig. 2. The operation of the control lever simultaneously operates the shutter 9 to the position shown in Fig. 2 and releases the shifting mechanism. When the shutter moves to this position, that section on the right half of the dial wheel which corresponds to the first timing period andwhich may be colored white, for example, becomes visible to the operator. The fact that the periphery of the dial wheel is visible through the window indicates at a glance that the thumb lever is operated to its proper position, that the shifting mechanism is released and that the register is in its operative condition. As described above, the release of the shifting mechanism causes driving gear to engage gear 3 of the dial wheel. The dial wheel begins to rotate at a predetermined speed. As the dial wheel rotates, the white colored section, which corresponds to the first timing period, gradually disappears from view and the section which corresponds, to the second timing period and which may be colored red, for example, gradually appears. At the moment the white section completely disappears, the first timing period, for example, five minutes, has elapsed. In the case of a coin box call, the operator on noting this fact notifies the calling subscriber that his time has terminated and that if he desires to continue the call, he must deposit another coin. In the case of a message rate call, the operator enters the details of the call on an overtime ticket preparatory to entering the number of overtime periods. At the end of the second timing period. and of each succeeding period, the preceding section disappears and a differently colored section appears. At the termination of the call, the operator enters on the ticket the number of overtime periods or, if desired, the exact elapsed time, and operates control lever l I back to the position shown in Fig. 1, and in the case of a message rate call, where message register keys are provided, depresses the proper one of message register keys 48 once, and takes down the connection. In the case of a message rate call where message rate register keys are not provided, the operator enters the details of the call on a ticket at the time the connection is established. At the termination of the call, if conversation has exceeded the first timing period, the operator enters on the ticket the total number of periods talked, for example-the initial period plus the overtime period or periods or, if desired, the exact elapsed time. The operator then operates control lever l I back to the position shown in Fig. 1, and takes down the connection. In any case, upon the operation of control lever ll back to the position shown in Fig. 1, the shutter returns to its position between the window and the periphery of the dial wheel and simultaneously therewith the shifting mechanism is operated. The fact that only the shutter is now visible through the window indicates that the control lever is operated to its proper position, that the shifting mechanism is operated and that the register is in its inopera tive condition. As described, the operation of the shifting means disengages drive gear 5 from gear 3 of the dial wheel. The reset mechanism, including coil spring 11, stud 29 and stop pawl 30, then operates to restore the dial wheel to its normal zero position. It can be seen from the above description, that each call can be accurately supervised at a glance on the part of the operator and that the starting and resetting of the registers are accomplished with minimum effort on the part of the operator and with minimum consumption of her time.

Where the registers are associated with a toll switchboard and are used for measuring the elapsed time of toll calls, the operation of the register, itself, is identical with and the procedure followed by the operator is substantially the same as that described above, except that the operator reads the designations on the left half of the periphery of the dial wheel rather than those on the right half.

Although this invention has been described in connection with a telephone system for timing the calls thereof, it should be understood that the apparatus and features thereof may be used in connection with other systems than a telephone system to time any operation, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for timing the duration of telephone connections established at a central switchboard by means of a plurality of link circuits, comprising in combination, a timing device for each link circuit including a case with a window therein and a rotatable timing wheel visible in part through said window and normally stationary in a predetermined position, the periphery of each timing wheel being divided into a plurality of differently colored sections representing predetermined timing periods and the position of each timing wheel when in its normal predetermined position being such that the rear edge of a visible one of its sections is in visual alignment with one of the edges of the corresponding window, a driving shaft common to said timing devices and adapted to rotate the timing wheels thereof in a forward direction, a motor for rotating said driv-.

ing shaft, means individual to each timing device for effectively connecting the corresponding timing wheel with said common shaft to measure the duration of each telephone connection established by means of the corresponding link circuit, and means, which includes a coil spring, associated with each timing wheel and adapted to permit the rotation of the corresponding timing wheel in a forward direction through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions and, when said common shaft and the corresponding timing wheel are effectively disconnected, to restore the corresponding timing wheel, without affecting the positions of the timing wheels of the other timing devices, from any off-normal position to its normal predetermined position and to maintain the corresponding timing wheel in its normal predetermined position except when it is being rotated by said common driving shaft.

2. Registering apparatus comprising in combination, a rotatable element adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined position, driving means adapted to rotate said rotatable element, shifting means for effectively connecting and disconnecting said rotatable element and said driving means to start and stop the forward rotation of said rotatable element as desired, control means for controlling the operation of said shifting means, means under the control of said shifting control means for indicating whether said rotatable element is in its operative or inopera-- tive conditions with respect to said driving means, and reset mechanism, which includes a coil spring, associated with said rotatable element and adapted to permit the forward rotation of said rotatable element through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions and, when said rotatable element and said driving means are effectively disconnected to restore said rotatable element to its normal predetermined position.

3. A register comprising in combination, a dial wheel adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined zero position, the periphery of said dial wheel being divided into a plurality of differently colored sections and subsections, driving means adapted to rotate said dial wheel, shifting means for effectively connecting said dial wheel and said driving means to start the rotation of said dial wheel as desired, control means for controllin the operation of said shifting means, and a coil spring associated with said dial wheel and adapted to be wound up by the rotation of said dial wheel through a predetermined distance in one direction with said driving means and to permit the further rotation of said dial wheel beyond said predetermined distance, said coil spring being further adapted when said driving means is effectively disconnected from said dial wheel to cause said dial wheel to rotate in the opposite direction until it returns to its zero position.

4. Registering apparatus comprising in combination, a case having a lip on the inside thereof protruding toward the center thereof, a dial wheel mounted within said case and adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined position, driving means adapted to rotate said dial wheel in a forward direction when effectively connected therewith, coil spring reset means associated with said dial wheel and adapted to permit the forward rotation of said dial wheel through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions and, when said driving means is effectively disconnected from said dial wheel; to rotatesaid dial wheel in a reverse direction, and means, which include a pivoted stop pawl normally resting against said protruding lip, adapted-to permit the free rotation of said dial wheel in a forward. direction and to stop the reverse rotation of said dial wheel when said dial wheel returns to its exact predetermined position.

5. Registering app ratus comprising in combination, a case the shape of which is character-- ized by the fact that the rear part of its topslopes downward at a predetermined angle, a rotatable clement mounted within said case and adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined position, driving means adapted to rotate said rotatable element, shifting means for effectively connecting said rotatable element and said driving means to start the rotation of said rotatable element as desired, control means mounted on the rear sloping part of the top of said case for controlling the operation of said shifting means, the angle of inclination of said rear sloping part of the top of said case and the height of said shifting control means being such that the top of said shifting control means is never above the top of said case regardless of the position to which said control means is operated, and reset mechanism, which includes a coil spring, associated with said rotatable element and adapted to permit the rotation of said rotatable element through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions and to restore said rotatable element to its normal predetermined position.

6. A register comprising in combination, a case the shape of which is characterized by the fact that the rear part of its top slopes downward at a predetermined angle to the rear side thereof,a dial wheel mounted within said case, a gear fastened to said dial wheel, a driving gear adapted, when said dial wheel gear is effectively connected therewith, to rotate said dial 'wheel, shifting means for effectively connecting and disconnecting said gears to start and stop the forward rotation of said dial wheel as desired, control means including a lever slidably mounted on the. rear sloping part of the top of said case for controlling the operation of said shifting means, the angle of inclination of said rear sloping part of the top of said case and the height of said lever being such that the top of said lever is in alignment with the top of said case when said lever is operated to its forward position and is below the top of said case when said lever is operated to its rearward I position, means associated with said shifting means and said driving gear and adapted to'permit the full operation of said control means and said shifting means even though said gears do not at once mesh, means under the control of said shifting control means for indicating whether said dial wheel is in its operative or inoperative condition with respect to said driving gear, and means, operative when said gears are effectively disconnected, to restore said dial whee to its zero position.

'7. Registering apparatus comprising in combination, a case having a window therein, a freely mounted rotatable .dial wheel visible in part through said window and adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined position, the periphery of said dial wheel being divided into a plurality of differently colored sections and the position of said dial wheel when in its normal pre-.

determined position being such that the rear edge of a visible one of said sections is in visual alignment with one of the edges of said window, a freely mounted cog-wheel gear connected to said dial wheel a cog-wheel driving gear adapted, when in engagement with said freely mounted gear, to rotate said freely mounted gear and said dial wheel in a forward direction, shifting means adapted to move said driving gear in the direction of the axes of said gears into engagement with said freely mounted gear, and coil spring reset means prepared for operation by the forward rotation of said dial wheel and adapted to permit the rotation of said dial wheel in a forward direction through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions and, when said gears are disengaged, to rotate said dial wheel in a reverse direction from any off-normal position to its normal predetermined position and thereafter to maintain said dial wheel in its normal predetermined position except when it is being rotated by said driving gear.

8. Registering apparatus comprising in combination, a rotatable element adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined position, a gear fastened to said rotatabl element, driving gear means adapted to rotate said rotatable element, shifting means for causing the engagement and disengagement of said driving gear means and the gear of said rotatable element, control means for controlling the operation of said shifting means to start and stop the forward rotation of said rotatable element as desired, means under the control of said control means for indicating whether said rotatable element is in its operative or inoperative condition with respect to said driving gear means, means associated with said shifting means and said driving gear means and adapted to permit the full operation of said control means and said shifting means even though said gears do not at once mesh and to cause the engagement of said gears when they are later in meshingposition, and means operative when said gears are disengaged for restoring said rotatable element to its normal predetermined position.

9. A register comprising in combination, a case having a window therein, a freely mounted dial wheel visible in part through said window and adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined position, the periphery of said dial wheel being divided into a plurality of diiferently colored sections representing timing periods and the position of said dial wheel when in its normal predetermined position being such that the rear edge of a visible one of said sections is in visual alignment with one of the edges of said window, a freely mounted driven gear connected to said dial wheel, a driving shaft rotating continuously at a constant speed, gear means adapted to be rotated in a forward direction by said driving shaft and including a gear hub slidably mounted on said shaft, a driving gear connected to one end of said hub adjacent said dial wheel gear and a collar connected to the other end of said hub, a shifting hub slidably mounted on said gear hub,

a first spring wound around said gear hub between said collar and said shifting hub, shifting means adapted, when operated, to move said driving gear into engagement with said dial wheel gear 11' "the teeth of said gears are in meshing position, a second spring adapted, when released, to exert a constant predetermined shifting force and to operate said shifting means, said first spring being adapted, if the teeth of said gears are not in meshing position, to permit the full 'movement of said shifting means to its operated position and later to cause the engagement of said gears when said driving gear rotates to mesh ing position, and coil spring reset means, associated with said dial wheel and adapted to permit the rotation of said dial wheel in a forward direction through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions, to restore said dial wheel from any off-normal position to its normal predetermined position and thereafter to maintain said dial wheel in its normal predetermined position except when it is being rotated by said driving gear.

10. Registering apparatus comprising, in comtatable dial wheel visible in part through said window and normally stationary in a predetermined position, the periphery of said dial wheel being divided into a plurality of differently colored sections and the position of said dial wheel when in its normal predetermined position being such that the rear edge of a visible one of said sections is in visual alignment with one of the edges of said window, driving means adapted to rotate said dial wheel in a forward direction when effectively connected therewith, means for effectively connecting and disconnecting said dial wheel and said driving means to start and stop the forward rotation of said dial wheel, as desired, and coil spring reset mechanism associated with said dial wheel and adapted to permit the rotation of said dial wheel in a forward direction through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions, to restore said dial wheel from any off-normal position to its normal predetermined position and thereafter to maintain said dial wheel in its normal predetermined position except when it is being rotated by said driving means.

11. Registering apparatus comprising, in combination, a case having a lip on the inside thereof protruding toward the center thereof, and a window therein adjacent said lip, a rotatable dial wheel visible in part through said window and normally stationary in a predetermined position, the periphery of said dial wheel being divided into a plurality of diiferently colored sections and the position of said dial wheel when in its normal predetermined position being such that the rear edge of a visible one of said sections is in visual alignment with one of the edges oi said window and with one of the edges of said lip, driving means adapted to rotate said dial wheel in a forward direction when eifectively connected therewith, means for effectively connecting and disconnecting said dial wheel and said driving means to start and stop the forward rotation of said dial wheel, as desired, and coil spring reset mechanism associated with said dial wheel and adapted to permit the rotation of said dial wheel in a forward direction through any part 01' a revolution or through any number of revolutions, to restore said dial wheel from any oil"- normal position to its normal predetermined position and thereafter to maintain said dial wheel in its normal predetermined position except when it is being rotated by said driving means.

12. A register comprising, in combination, a

' case having a window therein, a freely mounted that the rear edge of a visible one of said sections is in visual alignment with one 01 the edges of said window, a freely mounted driven gear connected to said dial wheel, a driving gear adapted to rotate said driven gear in a forward direction when in engagement therewith, shifting means adapted, when operated to a first position,

to disengage said gears from each other and, when operated to a second position, to cause the engagement of said gears if the teeth of said gears are in meshing position, control means adapted, when in its unoperated position, to hold said shifting means in its first position and, when moved to its operated position, to permit the full movement of said shifting means to its second position, means operative, when said control means is moved to its operated position, to exert a constant predetermined shifting force and to cause the full movement of said shifting means to its second position even though the teeth of said gears are not in meshing position, means associated with said shifting means and one of said gears and adapted to permit the full movement of said shifting means to its second position even though said gears do not at once mesh and cause the engagement of said gears when said gears are later in meshing position, and coil spring reset means associated with said dial wheel and'adapted to permit the rotation of said dial wheel in a forward direction through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions, to restore said dial wheel from any oil-normal position to its normal predetermined position and thereafter to maintain said dial wheel in its normal predetermined position except when it is being rotated by said driving gear.

13. A register comprising, in combination, a case having a window therein, a freely mounted dial wheel positioned beneath said window, the periphery of said dial wheel being divided into a plurality of difierently colored sections, a freely mounted driven gear connected to said dial wheel, a driving gear adapted to rotate said driven gear when in engagement therewith, shifting means adapted, when operated to a first position, to disengage said gears from each other and, when operated to a second position, to cause the engagement of said gears if the teeth of said gears are in meshing position, control means adapted, when in its unoperated position, to hold said shifting means in its first position and, when moved to its operated position, to permit the full movement of said shifting means to its second position, shutter means of a color different from that of said case, adapted to be moved to a position between said dial wheel and said window when said control means is moved to its unoperated position and to be moved away from its position between said dial wheel and said window as said control means is moved toward its operated position, means operative, when said control means is moved to its full operated position, to exert a constant predetermined shifting force and to cause the full movement of said shifting means to its second position even though the teeth of said gears are not inmeshing position, and means associated with said shifting means and one of said gears and adapted to permit the full movement of said shifting means to its. second positioneven though said gears do not at once mesh and to cause the engagement of said gears when said gears are later in meshing position.

14. A register comprising, in combination, a case having a window therein, a freely mounted dial wheel visible in part through said window and normally stationary in a predetermined position, the periphery of said dial wheel being di- I vided into a plurality of differently colored sections and the position of said dial wheel when in its normal predetermined position being such that the rear edge of a visible one of said sections is in visual alignment with one of the edges of said window, a freely mounted drivengear connected to said dial wheel, a driving gear adapted to rotate said driven gear in a forward direction when in engagement therewith, shifting means adapted, when operated to a first position, to disengage said gears from each other and, when operated to a second position, to

cause the engagement of said gears if the teeth of said gears are in meshing position, control means adapted, when in its unoperated position, to hold said shifting means in its first position and, when moved to its operated position,.to permit the full movement of said shifting means to its second position, shutter means of a color different from that of said case, adapted to be moved to a position between said dial wheel and said window when said control means is moved to its unoperated position and to be moved away from its position between said dial wheel and said window as said control means is moved toward its operated position, means operative, when said control'means is moved to its operated position, to exert a constant predetermined shifting force'andto cause the full movement of said shifting means to its second position even though the teeth of said gears are not in meshing position, means associated with said shifting means and one of said gears and adapted to permit the full movement of said shifting means to its second position even though said gears do not at once mesh and to cause the engagement of said gears when said gears are later in meshing position, and coil spring reset means associated with said dial wheel and adapted to permit the rotation of said dial wheel in a forward direction through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions, to restore sai'd dial wheel from any off-normal position to it's normal predetermined position and thereafter to maintain said dial wheel in its normal predetermined position except when it is being rotated by said driving means. i

15. Registering apparatus comprising, in combination, a'case having a window therein, the shape of said case being characterized by the fact that the rear part of its top slopes downward at a predetermined angle, a rotatable dial Wheel visible in part through said window and normally' stationary in a .predetermined position, the pe riphery of said dial wheel being divided into a plurality of differently colored sections and the position of said dial wheel when in its normal predetermined position being such that the rear edge of a visible one of said sections is in visual alignment with one of the edges of said window, a driven gear connected to said dial wheel, a driving gear adapted to rotate said driven gear in a forward direction when effectively connected therewith, shifting means for efiectively connecting and disconnecting said gears as desired, control means mounted on said sloping part of said case for controlling the operation of said shifting means, the angle of inclination of said sloping part and the height of said control means being such that the top of said control means is never above the top of said case regardless of the position to which said control means is operated, and coil spring reset mechanism associated with said dial wheel and adapted to permit the forward rotation of said dial wheel through any part of a revolution or through any number of revolutions and, when said gears are effectively disconnected, to restore said dial wheel from any oil-normal position to its normal predetermined position and to maintain said dial wheel in its normal predetermined position except when it is being rotated by said driving gear.

16. A register comprising in combination, a

dial wheel adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined zero position, driving means adapted to rotate said dial wheel, shifting means for efiectively connecting and disconnecting said dial wheel and said driving means to I start and stop the rotation of said dial wheel in one direction, as desired, control means for controlling the operation of said shifting means, means controlled by the means which controls the shifting operation for indicating whether said dial wheel is in its operative or inoperative condition with respect to said driving means, a coil spring associated with said dial wheel and adapted to be wound up by the rotation of said dial wheel through a predetermined distance in one direction with said driving means and to permit the further rotation of said dial wheel beyond said predetermined distance, said coil spring being further adapted, when said driving means is effectively disconnected from said dial wheel, to cause said dial wheel to rotate in the opposite direction, and means for stopping the rotation of said dial wheel in said opposite direction when said dial wheel returns to its zero position.

17. A register comprising in combination, a dial wheel adapted normally to remain stationary in a predetermined zero position, driving means adapted to rotate said dial wheel, shifting means for eflectively connecting and disconnecting said dial wheel and said driving means to start and stop the forward rotation of said dial wheel as desired, control means for controlling the operation of said shifting means, means under the control of the means which controls the shifting operation for indicating whether said dial wheel is in its operative or inoperative condition with respect to said driving means, and reset mechanism, including a coil spring, a stationary cup enclosing said coil spring and stop means. for restoring the dial wheel to its zero position when said driving means is effectively disconnected from said dial wheel, the inner end of said coil spring being fastened to said dial wheel and the outer end thereof being heavier than said inner end and free to slide along the inside of said stationary cup after said dial wheel has rotated with said driving means through a predetermined distance.

JOHN P. HARVEIL. EDWARD A. SLYE. 

